Tom Hill

Softball hitting instructor and coach of the Quad City Firebirds 18U. Helping girls achieve their goals.🥎

[Trey Hannam @TJHannam10]

Strong in the weight room but weak in power numbers?

So many hitters struggle with this unfortunately.

And no matter how fast you turn or swing, it doesn’t translate.

Here’s how we’re improving with Parker

The adjustment:

- Feet, ankles, knees and hips stay bouncy. Not tall and stiff.

- Med ball + back foot and shin. Add it to the routine, take 70% of swings with it.

- Finish with the hips low, like you’re at the bottom of a lunge almost

Remember: The whole point of lifting is for it to transfer onto the field and into the ball when hitting or throwing.

[Finlee Lindgren 2028 @FinleeL2210]

No better way to spend my 16th birthday then getting a good lesson in with @CoachTomhitting tonight ! Continuing to focus on pushing through the ball.

[Avery Humphrey @AveryHumphrey28]

I’m excited to join @PremierTill! Looking forward to playing with this team! 🖤🧡

[EllaHumphrey2028 @EllaHumphrey28]

I am excited to be playing in these competitive tournaments against some great talent this fall! @PremierTill

[Finlee Lindgren 2028 @FinleeL2210]

- keeping my hands on the line and pushing through the ball @CoachTomhitting thank you again for another great weekly lesson!

[Trump Girl @TrumpGirlLove]

💔Derrick Moore, 47, a beloved elementary school teacher and father of four from Loganville, Georgia, gave his life on August 7, 2026, to save a young girl he had never met.

While at Myrtle Beach, SC, he saw the child caught in a powerful rip current after lifeguards had gone off duty. Without hesitation, he ran into the water, pulled her to safety, and then was swept under himself. His body was recovered the next day.

He was known as “Coach” to his students at Rockbridge Elementary. Colleagues and family describe him as a man who always showed up with a smile and a heart ready to help.

He didn’t know the little girl.

He just knew she needed saving.

Rest in power, Derrick Moore.
True hero. Forever. 💔🇺🇸🫡

[Finlee Lindgren 2028 @FinleeL2210]

Gearing up for the fall season with @CoachTomhitting last night at lessons. He had me working on hitting through the ball. Can’t wait to get on the fields here soon!

[EllaHumphrey2028 @EllaHumphrey28]

@PremierTill recently finished our 2026 summer season. I am so thankful for this great experience all summer with my amazing teammates and coaches! I can't wait to continue playing with them this fall!
My stats:
BA .392
OBP .461
H 40: 35 IB, 2 2B, 2 3B, 1 HR
R 39
BB 12
SB 38

[Avery Humphrey @AveryHumphrey28]

Havoc finished pool play 2-1. Yesterday I hit back to back home runs in our last game of the day. Proud of my Havoc team, and I can't wait until bracket tomorrow! @WartburgSB @AugieCoachNelly @SAUBeesSoftball @CoachSorden @RVC_Softball @CoachMonroe9 @DMACCsoftball @coachDp16

[Tom Hill @CoachTomhitting]

@AveryHumphrey28 @C_Hump14 @AugieCoachNelly @CoachSorden @RVC_Softball @SAUBeesSoftball @DMACCsoftball @WartburgSB @SBCoachG Congratulations Avery!

[EllaHumphrey2028 @EllaHumphrey28]

My high school season came to an end at the sectional championship. I am so proud of this team and can’t wait for next season! Here is a rundown of my stats. @StacyMayJohnson @BadgerHealy @coachDp16 @SBCoachG @AugieCoachNelly @ExtraInningSB @Coach_Kramos @Coach2K_OSU @CoachWThees

[Finlee Lindgren 2028 @FinleeL2210]

Have been working on directional hitting with @CoachTomhitting and starting to see it come to light during the game. Thank you @fastpitchhavoc for letting me play with you again!

[EllaHumphrey2028 @EllaHumphrey28]

✅ Stolen Base Record for Ridgewood Varsity
So thankful the opportunities I’ve been given in my high school program! @StacyMayJohnson @FranStrub @allymiklesh @SBCoachG @BadgerHealy @Coach_Kramos @Coach2K_OSU @CoachMFrezzotti @CoachStanton @coachDp16 @CoachWThees @CoachPinkerton

[Clint Hurdle @ClintHurdle13]

50+ years in baseball. 17 as an MLB manager. over 2,500 games from the dugout.

I won Manager of the Year and also lost more games than I want to count.

I led teams through losing seasons and took a team to the World Series.

The biggest difference was leadership.

If I could go back to my first day as a leader, here are the 5 lessons I'd whisper in my own ear:

Lesson 1: Be a window when it's good, a mirror when it's bad.

The leaders I respected most shared every win and absorbed every hit.

What this looks like in practice:

• Wins: name the people who made it happen
• Losses: say "that's on me" before anyone asks
• Locker room: spotlight the effort before the outcome

Your team will fight harder for a leader who deflects credit and absorbs blame.

Lesson 2: Nobody hands you trust. You earn it before you coach it.

Early in my career, plenty of coaches tried to fix my swing.

I tuned out every one I didn't trust.

Get to know your people before you try to develop them.

Their hobbies, their family, what makes them tick.

Then the coaching lands.

Lesson 3: Shower well after every loss.

After a losing streak in Colorado, our team president asked me how I kept the clubhouse together.

This was my rule:

• Self-evaluate honestly, were we prepared, did we execute?
• Shower well, wash off the grit, grime, and angst before you walk out
• Be present for whoever you're going home to

Tomorrow is a new opportunity. Don't drag yesterday into it.

Lesson 4: Lead transformationally, not transactionally.

Transactional leaders ask: what can this person do for me?

Transformational leaders ask: how do I put this person in a position to win?

The first builds compliance.

The second builds careers.

When your people start chasing growth instead of your approval, you've crossed over.

Lesson 5: Stay humble before life humbles you.

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who are humble, and those who are about to be.

Discipline keeps you in the first group:

Skill gets you in the room. Humility keeps you there.

50 years taught me leadership isn't about you.

It's about the people you serve.

@Rockies

[EllaHumphrey2028 @EllaHumphrey28]

I hit my first varsity high school in the park HR this week! @RidgewoodSpart2 @PremierTill @StacyMayJohnson @SBCoachG @FranStrub @BadgerHealy @AugieCoachNelly @allymiklesh @Coach_Kramos @ExtraInningSB
Ella Humphrey HR vs Bureau Valley 2026
https://t.co/jpBV1RChpg via @YouTube

[Tom Hill @CoachTomhitting]

Way to go, Avery!

[Tom Hill @CoachTomhitting]

https://t.co/hi8rtcKE06

[Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness @coachajkings]

Mike Leach shares a must-listen postgame message on resilience, adversity, and failure.

"Nothing is really, really, really fun unless it's hard. Nothing is really fun unless it's hard."

"We've got to embrace that things are gonna be hard. We've got to embrace to be excited when things are hard."

Successful people don't fear obstacles - they embrace them.

"You gotta embrace to be excited about it being hard and playing extremely hard."

"Even if you get way up on somebody, you want to be as hard as you possibly can because you're pushing yourself. And all of a sudden you're making great plays, you're doing things that you've never done before."

Growth requires discomfort. You have to be willing to look bad before you get better.

Then he ended with one line:
"Embrace the fact that it's hard. Never hope that it's easy."

If you only chase what's easy, you'll never become great.

Embrace the hard because that is where growth, success, and character are built.
(🎥 Washington State)

[Finlee Lindgren 2028 @FinleeL2210]

Working on driving the ball up the middle this week at my lesson with @CoachTomhitting ! Also hit •68 mph• almost to 70!

[Tom Hill @CoachTomhitting]

@EllaHumphrey28 Way to go, Ella! Want to hear all about it!